Donovan McNabb blasts Mike Shanahan for RGIII benching

Donovan McNabb knows what Robert Griffin III is going through as the former Redskins quarterback was also benched by Mike Shanahan three years ago.

“I’m used to this whole deal because, listen, I was benched for Rex Grossman,” McNabb said Wednesday on NBC Sports Radio, via The Washington Post. “And [Shanahan] came out and said he gave the team the best chance of winning. Well, Rex Grossman finished the season 1-2 or 1-3. I mean, that didn’t help nothing. And so, the whole thing about it is, sometimes you have to look in the mirror and look at yourself. Stop looking at everybody else. I don’t think that he and Kyle Shanahan can do that. And I say that because they feel like what calling should be ran effectively.

“Now, when we see it on film, yeah he’s missed some throws. Everybody misses throws,” he continued. “What about the balls that are dropped? What about the offensive line not blocking? What about the defense can’t tackle anybody? Yeah, I understand this kid has been banged up. He’s coming off of ACL injury. I’ve had ACL/MCL injury. But you wait 13, 14 weeks in the season to say, ‘I want him to be healthy going into the offseason?’ You might not even be there in the offseason. And so, what message are you sending to the guys in the locker room who are banged up in the training room every morning that are still going to meetings and out there practicing? We’re gonna rest the franchise quarterback, but you guys gotta get out there and play and finish the season out the right way and hopefully you don’t get hurt.

McNabb beleives Shanahan’s ego was the reason RGIII was benched.

“This is about Mike Shanahan,” he said on NBC Sports Radio. “Mike and Kyle Shanahan trying to show why they feel like Kirk Cousins gives them the best chance of winning. So many things have leaked out, and I’ve always kept my ear on things that are happening with the Washington Redskins, teams that I’ve played with. And when you hear reporters that I know are linked to Mike Shanahan talk about [RGIII’s] preparation, you talk about he’s missing some reads, you know, he’s not reading some things. And I knew that he was big on having Kirk Cousins to get out there and run the offense.”

According to McNabb, Griffin’s teammates no longer support the quarterback.

“I think that the locker room has turned their back on RGIII, and now you’ve solidified it.”